Online Supplement to "Wrong-Site Surgery in Pennsylvania During 2015–2019: A Study of Variables Associated With 368 Events From 178 Facilities"

Abstract Background In thyroid surgery, wrong-site surgery (WSS) is considered a rare event and seldom reported in the literature. Case presentation This report presents 5 WSS cases following thyroid surgery in a 20-year period. We stratified the subtypes of WSS in wrong target, wrong side, wrong procedure and wrong patient. Only planned and elective thyroid surgeries present WSS cases. The interventions were performed in low-volume hospitals, and subsequently, the patients were referred to our centres. Four cases of wrong-target procedures (thymectomies [n = 3] and lymph node excision [n = 1] performed instead of thyroidectomies) and one case of wrong-side procedure were observed in this study. Two wrong target cases resulting additionally in wrong procedure were noted. Wrong patient cases were not detected in the review. Patients experienced benign, malignant, or suspicious pathology and underwent traditional surgery (no endoscopic or robotic surgery). 40% of WSS led to legal action against the surgeon or a monetary settlement. Conclusion WSS is also observed in thyroid surgery. Considering that reports regarding the serious complications of WSS are not yet available, these complications should be discussed with the surgical community. Etiologic causes, outcomes, preventive strategies of WSS and expert opinion are presented.

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Common general surgical never events: analysis of NHS England never event data

International Journal for Quality in Health Care ◽

10.1093/intqhc/mzab045 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Islam Omar ◽

Rishi Singhal ◽

Michael Wilson ◽

Chetan Parmar ◽

Omar Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Implants ◽

Skin Condition ◽

Chest Drain ◽

Event Data ◽

Wrong Site Surgery ◽

Wrong Side ◽

Retained Foreign Body ◽

Never Events ◽

Never Event ◽

Wrong Site

Abstract Background There is little available data on common general surgical never events (NEs). Lack of this information may have affected our attempts to reduce the incidence of these potentially serious clinical incidents. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify common general surgical NEs from the data held by the National Health Service (NHS) England. Methods We analysed the NHS England NE data from April 2012 to February 2020 to identify common general surgical NEs. Results There was a total of 797 general surgical NEs identified under three main categories such as wrong-site surgery (n = 427; 53.58%), retained items post-procedure (n = 355; 44.54%) and wrong implant/prosthesis (n = 15; 1.88%). We identified a total of 56 common general surgical themes—25 each in the wrong-site surgery and retained foreign body categories and six in wrong implants category. Wrong skin condition surgery was the commonest wrong-site surgery (n = 117; 27.4%). There were 18 wrong-side chest drains (4.2%) and 18 (4.2%) wrong-side angioplasty/angiograms. There were seven (1.6%) instances of confusion in pilonidal/perianal/perineal surgeries and six (1.4%) instances of biopsy of the cervix rather than the colon or rectum. Retained surgical swabs were the most common retained items (n = 165; 46.5%). There were 28 (7.9%) laparoscopic retrieval bags with or without the specimen, 26 (7.3%) chest drain guide wires, 26 (7.3%) surgical needles and 9 (2.5%) surgical drains. Wrong stents were the most common (n = 9; 60%) wrong implants followed by wrong breast implants (n = 2; 13.3%). Conclusion This study found 56 common general surgical NEs. This information is not available to surgeons around the world. Increased awareness of these common themes of NEs may allow for the adoption of more effective and specific safeguards and ultimately help reduce their incidence.

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